10 Secrets to Steal From a Car Wash Pro

If your claim to fame is that your car always sparkles in the sun, we have bad news for you: You've only hit the surface (literally) of what you should be doing to take care of your car. Things like air filters, the underbody, and carpet odors are just as important. Here are some cleaning tips from someone who helps people care for their cars for a living:

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1You should wash your car every single week.

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"The biggest mistake people make is not washing their car often enough," says Carl Howard, COO of Autobell Car Wash. A weekly cleaning routine ensures things like bird droppings and pine sap are removed before they become a bigger issue: "The longer it stays on the surface, the harder it is to get off," he says. If you have kids or store your car outside, you might want to wash yours even more frequently.

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2You shouldn't treat rain showers like free car washes.

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It's actually bad for your car (we know, bummer). You see, rain water is acidic, so drops can etch the paint on your car if you don't wash it off. "I would let weather be your guide, anytime there's an event try to wash your car," says Howard. "And you should always wash it as soon as you can after it rains."

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3Go to a pro if you're worried about waste.

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"Car washes have to collect all of the water and mud and treat it before putting it back into the sanitary system," explains Howard. Afterwards, the city treats the water again before it goes back into streams — meaning any dirty water coming from a car wash gets treated twice before being distributed back into nature.

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4Treat your wheels the same as your paint job.

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Even though these clunky parts might seem like they're more durable than your paint, most have a clear coat you have to clean regularly to protect, too. In fact, Howard estimates that 90% of wheels fit into this category. So don't start slacking when you get down below.

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5Pay extra attention to the underbody during the winter.

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While salt might prevent your car from sliding on ice during a snow storm, it's harmful to the underbody of your car, since it's corrosive, and can lead to rusting over time. However, this area is difficult to get to, so Howard recommends swinging by a car wash as soon as possible after driving on ice to take advantage of their underbody flushing system.

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6Don't forget to replace interior air filters.

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According to Howard, cars that were made in the last 12 years or so have interior air filters that most people forget about. The problem? If you don't replace them once every year, they can get moldy (yuck!) and then you end up breathing in that polluted air.

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7Pick your protection based on how you store your car.

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Sure, garages are nice (especially on cold, snowy mornings), but they're not necessary, says Howard: "I haven't always had a garage, but the main thing you have to do is keep the finish on your car protected." All car washes offer sealants and waxes that last approximately two weeks. Or, if you prefer a longer duration, you can visit a detailer to apply protection that will last six to eight weeks.

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8Use laundry room tricks to fight interior stains.

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"People should treat the interior of their car like the interior of their home," Howard says. "If you have a spill, do your best to mitigate the damage before you get to the car wash, because the longer you leave a stain untreated the harder it is to get out." His most common challenge? Milk and baby formula in the backseat.

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9Avoid fish spills at all costs.

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The next time you grab fresh seafood from the market, make sure it's sealed property: "If that stuff gets into your carpet, it's the hardest odor to get out," says Howard. Especially if it's warm outside, because the windows create a solar heating effect that only intensifies the (fishy) smell.

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10Don't be afraid of over-cleaning your car.

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"That's a fallacy," says Howard. "When I was in our locations every day as a manager, I would wash my car every day." But he stresses once again that you can under wash your car.

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